Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has stated that former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is not a presidential candidate.
Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, was responding to a statement made by the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
Kwankwaso previously stated that the Southeast was too young politically to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023.
He stated that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would have to be his running mate, not the other way around.
Ogbonnia condemned Kwankwaso’s remark, saying the NNPP presidential candidate lacked the ability to assess Igbos.
He insisted that the Igbos had been planning to produce Nigeria’s president for a long time.
Ogbonnia said in a statement that anyone who has done well in business and has lived in other parts of the country can rule Nigeria.
The organization’s scribe maintained that an Igbo president would perform better because they are more familiar with the country.
Nigerians, he says, should not doubt the Igbo nation’s ability to rule the country if given the chance.
“Kwankwaso’s description is unfortunate,” he stated. He is unfamiliar with Igbo and cannot assess its people. Such a remark from a presidential candidate is unexpected.
“As far as I am aware, Igbo have been the pillars that have allowed this country to survive thus far.” He should understand that any person who is successful in business and lives in any part of the country can be president.
“When it comes to presidential issues, Kwankwaso is not the best material the country can have.” Except for our parochial nature and the type of politics we have in Nigeria, I don’t believe our competence should ever be called into question.”
